Novel Amphibian

Mr. J. Ward Williams’ Plane Flies to Papua

AN American amphibian ’plane of the most unusual design yet seen in Australia took oft from Mascot, Sydney, on August 26 on a flight to Port Moresby where it will be used by a syndicate, headed by Selection Trust Ltd., to search for gold in the Western Division.

The ’plane is named “Tuppy,” after a young son of the owner, Mr. J. Ward Wil liams, an American mining engineer. It is one of the earlier Sikorsky types, sin gle engined. It is a high wing monoplane, having an all-metal cabin. With the landing wheels retracted it lands on a boat-like hull.

The machine, which carried radio and full emergency equipment, was piloted by Flight-Lieutenant Stuart Campbell, who is well-known in Papua where he has made several adventurous flights. Mr.

Roy Savage, of Sydney, also left with the ’plane as engineer.

Mr. Williams, who sailed from Brisbane for Port Moresby by the Macdhui on Aug ust 22, said that reconnaissance flights would be made by members of his ex pedition in the amphibian to find large gold dredging areas.

Mr. W. M. Du pa in, manager for Messrs.

Burns, Philp and Co. Ltd. at Port Moresby, returned to Papua after short leave spent in Sydney by the Macdhui on August 20.

Mr. B. B. Perriman, manager of Messrs.

W. R. Carpenter and Co. Ltd., at Rabaul, arrived in Sydney on furlough by the Nellore on August 25. He is a non-official member of the Legislative Council.